ACLU of Utah Executive Director and long-time Salt Lake City community leader Karen McCreary has announced that she will retire at the end of June, 2016.
Since becoming the organization’s head in 2006, McCreary has more than doubled the staff, overseen impressive fundraising growth, extended the ACLU of Utah’s presence statewide, built a vigorous legal program, and greatly expanded the ACLU of Utah’s influential participation at the Utah Legislature.
“The ACLU is like a second family to me; I feel a deep connection to our mission and to those with whom I’m fortunate enough to work,” says McCreary. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside so many wonderful people around the state to address civil liberties injustices with the belief that Utah can be a more just and inclusive place. I am so proud to have been a part of this amazing organization, which makes this a difficult decision for me. But it is important for me to have more time to spend with my immediate family, including my elderly parents who live out of state.”
Under McCreary’s leadership, the ACLU of Utah championed a successful legal challenge to Utah’s Arizona-style anti-immigration law HB497, helped pass Utah’s LGBT non-discrimination act and has successfully challenged governmental impediments to full marriage equality. The ACLU also played a critical role in Utah’s sweeping criminal justice reform efforts and built grassroots community coalitions to advocate for racial justice throughout the state.
“We are so impressed with all that Karen has accomplished during her time as our Executive Director; she will be leaving the organization in great shape,” says ACLU of Utah Board President Michael Weinholtz. “It will be a real challenge to replace Karen, but we are committed to upholding the incredible tradition of civil liberties progress and protection by the ACLU of Utah.”
The Board of Directors plans to begin recruiting for McCreary’s replacement in February.
